Imagine this:
You step off the plane, arriving in a vibrant new city, full of excitement to discover its hidden treasures, you suddenly realize you lack the necessary guidance on where to go.
Attempting to connect to the airport or train station wifi on your phone, you realize you can't book a taxi online all the way to your hotel. Consequently, you opt for a taxi, unknowingly choosing a deceitful driver who overcharges you by threefold.
Desperate for sustenance, you search for a restaurant but struggle to decide what to eat. Eventually settling for the first one you come across, you end up with a stomach ache.
Have you experienced something similar before? Personally, I made the decision to put an end to it by buying local SIM cards!
My first experience without a SIM card
I spent three months in Ireland without a local SIM card, without even considering getting one. Although I survived, I wasn't able to accomplish much more than planned during that time.
I was located in Cork city, and let me tell you, it was the ideal location to be without a SIM card. It's a compact city where navigation is straightforward. You don't require a car or even a bicycle to get around. Additionally, there are numerous train and bus stations for weekend getaways.
Downtown bars in Ireland usually offer free wifi, making it convenient to go online or to contact your friend. With one bar for every two shops in the city center, finding free wifi is easily achievable without much effort.
During that period, I was younger and adept at conversing in English and navigating using maps. It's worth noting that I was on an internship at the time and had ample opportunities to explore the area. Therefore, getting a SIM card was not a priority under those circumstances. Instead, indulging in a pint of Irish beer was of much greater importance!
This experience led me to the realization that it was a must have item for all my future travels
Don't be mistaken, my three-month stay in Ireland was fantastic, and I look forward to visiting again when the opportunity arises. However, I regret not taking advantage of certain travel opportunities and could have saved a significant amount of time on some specific occasions.
Below are all the reasons I noted on why a SIM card is a must have item when travelling without any doubts.
1. Stay Connected, Stay Safe
When traveling abroad, it's crucial to bear in mind that unforeseen issues can arise at any moment: such as falling, getting robbed, or getting lost. In such situations, it's vital to promptly reach out to local authorities or hospitals.
Having a SIM card handy enables you also to keep in touch with your loved ones, ensuring they are informed about your activities and whereabouts. This provides them with reassurance and maintains their trust in your actions. Conversely, in remote or hazardous locations, if you encounter difficulties and are unable to contact anyone, they may become anxious and reach out to local authorities to locate you.
Having a SIM card in my phone is certainly one of the essential items I carry to ensure my safety.
2. Local Experience at Your Fingertips
There are two primary categories of travelers that I am familiar with: those who meticulously plan every detail in advance, and those who believe that stumbling upon hidden gems occurs when wandering aimlessly through the streets.
In my opinion, a combination of both approaches is ideal for truly experiencing a destination. Planning ensures that you visit key attractions and minimizes the chance of regrets upon departure. However, it is important to set aside some time to venture off the beaten path and make the journey your own. A touch of spontaneity is essential in every trip to keep it engaging.
For this adventurous step, having a SIM card is essential as it enables you to explore hidden local treasures nearby. These may include charming cafes frequented only by locals and unconventional attractions off the usual tourist path.
3. Budget-Friendly Communication
Some people may recall a time when they briefly enabled roaming, thinking "it's no big deal," only to be shocked by an exorbitant bill at the end of the month!
I wouldn't rely on any roaming services provided by companies! Purchasing a SIM card, even at the airport where prices are typically higher, will consistently be more cost-effective than any roaming packages available. So go ahead and make calls, send texts, and surf the web without concerns about unexpected charges.
4. Free wifi is not a trustable option
Free wifi serves as an alternative to SIM cards, however, it is typically scarce and primarily found in establishments such as hotels, airports, bars, or restaurants. Often, access to free wifi requires purchasing a room, a plane/train ticket, or a meal. Relying solely on free wifi may result in challenges when searching for it.
It is important to note that free wifi is more likely to be available in busy areas like city centers. In rural areas, it is unlikely that individuals will offer to share their wifi with you.
5. Seamless Navigation Everywhere
Feeling disoriented in the city? Driving around?
Traditional paper maps and offline maps have always served as a convenient method for navigation.
However, nothing beats an interactive map that frees you from the need to constantly pinpoint your location. It also simplifies driving and locating nearby tourist attractions.
Just activate your search device and access all the information you need online!
6. Capture and Share Every Moment
In the present day, social media has become a priority for numerous travelers. Capture your experiences and promptly share them with your family and followers. By using a SIM card for internet connectivity, you can effortlessly share photos, update stories, and keep in touch with your social network during at any time of your travels. Making your escapades public and motivate others to explore as well.
7. Your best friend if you have to work outside
Everyone has always dreamed of working on the beach! Thanks to the shared connection feature, the SIM card enables you to work from any location with an internet connection, not just from bars and hotels.
8. Enable communication with individuals worldwide when you miss the knowledge
These days, it is easy to find an application that allows you to translate your words. When you are in a situation where you don't know the local language, your phone might be the only way to communicate with the people around you. I have noticed that more and more people are used to it worlwide, and it will definitely avoid you to do strange movements with your arms!
9. Get a cab, Use local transportation
I have already recounted my experience: whether it be by requesting more money than agreed upon, locking the doors without consent, or deliberately taking longer routes to inflate the taxi fare. Rest assured, I will not be putting my trust in taxis anytime in the near future!
Get my advice, one scammy taxi ride can cost you much more than a monthly SIM card😊
There is no better choice than using cab applications where you are aware of the exact fare and route. Additionally, like with other booking application, you can review driver feedback in advance and cancel if unsatifactory.
Not just taxis, but also utilizing the subway or city bicycles may necessitate a SIM card, offering a growing array of transportation options. Typically, your phone is the means through which you can make payments, which is often more cost-effective than purchasing disposable physical cards.
10. Payment through applications
Have you ever experienced the unfortunate situation of having your wallet or bank card stolen? This is one of my concerns when I am traveling. It can be challenging to make payments, withdraw cash, or obtain a replacement card in such circumstances.
In today's world, almost every smartphone provides an application that allows you to link a bank card for making payments. Even if you haven't used this feature frequently, it can serve as a backup option in case you misplace your card and need to carry out urgent transactions before blocking it. Additionally, certain banks offer the option to create virtual cards that can be utilized within these applications.
Some countries have also embraced digital payments, requiring users to register their bank cards on local applications. In such cases, having a SIM card is essential as cash is not widely accepted, for example in Chinese businesses where using local apps like Alipay and WeChat has become common practice.
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To sum up, a SIM card is more than just a physical item or an added cost. It is readily available for purchase online, at airport arrival terminals, or from local telecommunication providers. You can request a customized package with your own original SIM card, or alternatively explore SIM card applications that offer virtual alternatives.
It will let you explore with fewer drawbacks. Whether ensuring safety or uncovering hidden treasures, a SIM card is a crucial travel accessory for any world traveler. Therefore, before setting off on your next journey, consider its importance!
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